My Christmas Letter

Christmas Letter 2007

I started the year in Los Angeles. It was the beginning of coming to terms with the loss of Malcolm and the end of my marriage. During January we put our house on the market and saw a mediator who drew up the divorce papers for us. I’ve spent most of this past year trying to get used to living on my own. I’m now living permanently in Oxford in the little house I bought many years ago. I can’t say how it’s going. It’s just going. We were divorced in September. My friends and my children and grandchildren have been absolutely wonderful and that brings me to the very positive side of the past year.

I have three new grandchildren and I have to go on a bit about how wonderful they and their parents are. Daniel and Michelle had Olivia on the 4th of June. I visited them at the end of that month to admire my newest little granddaughter. She’s a honey and apparently progressing beautifully. It’s unfortunate that she is so far away. I have to rely on her parents for news and fortunately, their reports are always positive. They are obviously enjoying Mommy and Daddyhood. I will see them next summer when they come to Oxford.

At the end of August, the 31st to be exact, Rosie Gee was born to Rachel and Charlie. She was three weeks early but weighed seven pounds so was obviously ready to put in an appearance. She is a beautiful little thing and a boon to me. She is my exercise machine. I go to the farm most days to take her for a walk in her pram. We have many interesting routes that involve farmyards, meadows, riverside and town. Adam is coping with her reasonably well and he and I still have our lunch dates at McDonald’s where Rosie can’t come. I don't let on to Adam that I love her to pieces.

Finally, baby #3 turns up on December 13th. That would be Harry Malcolm Williams of Eastbourne, UK. Alison had a very straightforward labour and produced an 8lb. 13oz. little boy with bright red hair. He is so cute I could hug him to death. I saw him the day after he was born when he was still all curled up and shrivelly looking but then I saw him again yesterday. Two weeks have made a big difference. He still has red hair but he looks a lot more human. I will be going up and down to Eastbourne quite a bit during the next few months while Alison is on maternity leave.

So there we are for now. Pictures to follow. I know I've said that before but I mean it this time.